HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - January 17, 2001 H-04AGENDA TITLE: Approve Specifications and Advertisement for Bids for Annual Tree Trimming Contract
(Power Line Clearing ) for Electric Utility Department ($180,000)
MEETING DATE: January 17, 2001
PREPARED BY: Electric Utility Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council approve the specifications for a tree trimming contract
for power line clearing and authorize advertisement for bids.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Electric Utility Department has utilized a tree trimming contractor
for its line clearing requirements since November 1988. The current
contract was awarded by the City Council on September 17, 1997
for a one-year period with provisions for a year-to-year extension up to a maximum of three additional
years. The extension option has been declined by the current tree trimming contractor and they have
removed their crews from City of Lodi property.
Due to the excellent results the Department has experienced with this contract service in both significant
reduction of outage time to our customers and the cost effectiveness of the program, it is recommended
that the program be continued. The bid process is being initialized at this time so that a new contract can
be implemented for the remainder of the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 fiscal year, thus maintaining the very
necessary continuity of the tree trimming program.
The Department contracts for Tree Trimming (line clearance) utilizing two (2) three person crews and a
two person crew year round. Due to changes in rules and regulations, the line clearance effort must be
maintained. On January 23, 1997, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a
Proposed Tree Trimming Rules submitted by Administrative Law Judge Malcolm. This new decision now
requires a minimum of 18 inches clearance instead of the 6 -inch clearance required between foliage and
12 W utility lines. To conform to the rules, it is imperative that a new contract be awarded.
The specifications have been prepared for a one-year five-month basis with the option to extend yearly
thereafter, at the City's sole discretion, for a maximum of three years. It is expected that this contract will
provide the City with two (2) three-person crews for seventeen months and a two -person crew for
seventeen months, including vehicles, equipment and other expenses for three crews. This level of
activity represents the current effort to maintain the 130+ circuit miles of overhead transmission and
distribution lines clear of growth on a three-year cycle.
The bid opening date has been set for February 7, 2001.
APPROVED;
H. Dixon Flynn - City Manager
FUNDING: The estimated cost of this contract is $180,000 for the remainder of 2000-2001 fiscal
year budget and is included in this fiscal year operating budget. The funding for the
2001-2002 fiscal year will be included in the Department's proposed 2001-2003
budget. Funding for extensions of the contract will be budgeted on a year-to-year
basis.
Funding Approval: U i o
Vicky McAthie, Pinance Director
Alan N. Vallow
Electric Utility Director
PREPARED BY: Carl Lindstrom, Electric Utility Superintendent
ANVICUIst
C: City Attorney
Finance Director
Purchasing Officer
George Bradley, Street Superintendent
APPROVED:
H. Dixon Flynn it City Manager